April 28, 2010
Report

Status Summary of 3He and Neutron Detection Alternatives for Homeland Security

Abstract

This is a short summary whitepaper on results of our alternatives work: Neutron detection is an important aspect of interdiction of radiological threats for homeland security purposes since plutonium, a material used for nuclear weapons, is a significant source of fission neutrons [Kouzes 2005]. Because of the imminent shortage of 3He, which is used in the most commonly deployed neutron detectors, a replacement technology for neutron detection is required for most detection systems in the very near future [Kouzes 2009a]. For homeland security applications, neutron false alarms from a detector can result in significant impact. This puts a strong requirement on any neutron detection technology not to generate false neutron counts in the presence of a large gamma ray-only source [Kouzes et al. 2008].

Revised: June 8, 2010 | Published: April 28, 2010

Citation

Kouzes R.T., and J.H. Ely. 2010. Status Summary of 3He and Neutron Detection Alternatives for Homeland Security Richland, WA: Pacific Northwest National Laboratory.